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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Opening its 2016 campaign, the North Florida baseball team had a late rally come up short in a 7-6 loss to George Washington (1-0) at Harmon Stadium.
 
The Colonials spotted the Ospreys a 4-0 lead after two innings before they took the lead for good courtesy of a five-run, third inning. George Washington starting pitcher Bobby LeWarne grinded through seven innings and was credited with the win. He struck out five batters and allowed eight hits in an 89-pitch outing.
 
The Ospreys chipped away at a late, 7-4 lead with a run in the eighth inning on a Chris Thibideau RBI infield single. In its final turn at the plate, North Florida made the score 7-6 on an RBI single from Corbin Olmstead that scored Dakota Higdon. Colonial closer Eddie Muhl, last year's national leader in saves, loaded the bases with one out but the Ospreys were unable to push the tying run across.
 
Lead-off man Kyle Brooks served as the offensive spark plug for North Florida, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. The senior shortstop cleared the bases with a three-run triple in the bottom of the second inning to cap a four-run rally. Freshman Dalton Board drove in the first run of the season for the Ospreys earlier in the frame with a single in his first collegiate at bat.
 
For the Colonials, Bobby Campbell hit the go-ahead, two-run home run in the top of the fifth to put the finishing touches on a five-run inning. He finished the night, 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a two runs scored. Joey Bartosic, and catcher Brandon Chapman each put forth multiple-hit nights for George Washington.
 
Junior Kevin Mahala gave the Colonials a three-run cushion with a two-RBI triple to right center field in the top of the sixth inning.
 
For North Florida (0-1), junior transfer Chris Thibideau was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in his Osprey debut.
 
Junior Austin Howze came on in relief for Osprey starting pitcher Matt Vaka in the top of the sixth inning. Howze, struck out three batters in 3.1 innings pitched in his first game as an Osprey. Vaka was charged with all seven runs, the first time he's allowed more than three in 13 previous appearances.
 
Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 p.m. North Florida right-hander Bryan Baker will be opposed by Robbie Metz in the afternoon matinee. Fans will have the opportunity to win prizes while play "Baseball Bingo" throughout the contest. Single game tickets and mini plans are available at unfospreys.com/tickets.